How I finished a five day hike in less than 7 hours (Video)

0Shares

“We always question ourselves, like we got to be rational about things, instead of just actually doing it.”

Sometimes the irrational decisions liberate us the most.

In 2012 Ryan Sandes, a South African ultra-runner, completed the 85km run through the Fish River Canyon. He ran the usual five-day hike in 6h57min, improving Russell Pasche’s previous record of 10h54min. So he didn’t just complete his goal, he shattered expectations.

Ryan previously attempted to run the Canyon in 2009 and 2011 but both times it “knocked the steam” out of him, leaving him defeated, doubtful and with low confidence. But Ryan came back yet again and this time surpassed his goal.

It’s when you push out of your comfort zone that you achieve things that were once impossible in your mind.

Ryan learned that “with confidence comes that desire to achieve and with wanting to achieve you have to take greater risks.” It was only through his risk-taking that gave him the opportunity to complete his once unachievable goal.

“There’s always loads of footprints in the canyon, so there’s lots of different paths you can take. Which set of footprints do you take? Or do you make your own path? I think that’s the same as life.”